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Explore the beginning of the Civil War, including state allegiances, advantages, strategies, Bull Run's impact, and soldier conditions.
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Objectives • Identify the states that supported the Union, the states that seceded, and the states whose loyalties were divided. • Describe the advantages each side had in the war. • Compare the different strategies used by the North and the South. • Summarize the results of the First Battle of Bull Run. • Describe the conditions soldiers in camp faced.
Terms and People • border state – a slave state that did not secede • neutral – not favoring either side • martial law – a type of rule in which the military is in charge and citizens’ rights are suspended • blockade – a military action to prevent traffic from coming into an area or leaving it
Why did both the North and the South think they would easily win the war? Many Northerners and Southerners were confident that their side would win a quick victory. But both faced many challenges. The North had a greater populationand more resources. The South had a more experienced military.
After the attack on Fort Sumter, President Lincoln asked states to send troops to end what he called a “rebellion.” It did not appear that he thought the conflict would get bigger. Some people think Lincoln’s dismissal caused more southern states to secede. The western counties of Virginia refused to secede. These joined the Union as the state of West Virginia.
A key question for both sides was whether the border states would side with the Union or the Confederacy. Possession of the border states was critical because it meant control of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
The North was confident that it would win the war by taking advantage of its resources. These included: a larger population more acres of farmland more factories more railroad tracks The North was able to field, feed, and equip larger armies.
The Union had an advantage over the Confederacy in resources.
On the other hand, the South had the advantage of land. If the North wanted to seize southern land, northern troops would have to invade unfamiliar areas. Also, the South had more experienced leaders. Three generals, including Robert E. Lee, had resigned from the U.S. Army to help the South.
The North planned a multipart strategy to defeat the South. • Blockade southern ports. • Seize Richmond. • Gain control of the Mississippi River and split the South in two.
The South had a simpler strategy. Southerners believed that they only needed to defend their landuntil the northern armies got tired of fighting. They also sought help from Britain and other European nationsthat relied on the South for cotton.
Both sides had their plans, but challenges presented themselves at every turn. When the Civil War began, thousands of soldiers volunteered for the Union and Confederate armies. Many of these soldiers were young and inexperienced.
Life in an army camp was harsh. Soldiers faced boredom, disease, and even death. The camps were dirty and lacked clean water. Many soldiers died from outbreaks of disease. Thousands diedfrom starvation or exposure in crowded prison camps. Captured soldiers faced harsh conditions.
However, in the North, newspapers called for a quick end to the war. Because many soldiers were unskilled, Union General Irvin McDowell wanted time to train his men. Union soldiers marched toward Richmond. During the First Battle of Bull Run,Confederate General “Stonewall” Jackson and his men held firm.
During the battle, inexperienced Union soldiers panicked and then retreated. The Confederates were too exhausted to pursue them. Bull Run was an early sign that the war would be long and costly for both sides.
